MANILA, Philippines – Not much was expected of the Ateneo Lady Eagles entering the UAAP Season 76 women’s volleyball tournament. They had lost five key players of last year’s team, had a new head coach, and were fielding two rookies in their starting six.

Most fans believe that at best, the Lady Eagles could reach the Final Four. Not even the members of the team thought that they could make it to the Finals, much less win the championship.

Yet at the end of the tournament, that is exactly what happened.

The Lady Eagles, after two consecutive years of placing second, finally won it all – and did so in stunning fashion, winning five do-or-die games and beating archrivals La Salle three times in the finals to claim their first ever women’s volleyball crown.

How did they do it?

1. Playing with no pressure

The Lady Eagles agreed that playing with no expectations played a major factor, especially after two straight years wherein they were under tremendous pressure – both internal and external – to excel in the tournament.

Unlike the past two years, when a “Fab Five”- led Ateneo squad stumbled at the finish line, the Lady Eagles this time were calm, even in the face of tremendous odds.

Former Ateneo player Gretchen Ho saw firsthand how playing without any pressure allowed this season’s Lady Eagles to shine.

“(Last year) we wanted to go to games not to play or to win, but more of… natatakot kami mag-fail. Nafu-frustrate kami pag nagkakamali kami,” she admitted. “But this year, it’s a whole new mindset for the team. It’s a whole new aura. Pag pasok mo pa lang, ang gaan, ang happy, sobrang okay.”

2. Coach Tai and his ‘heart strong’ philosophy

Another major factor was Ateneo’s new coach, Tai Bundit, who was originally tasked with making a young, up-and-coming team stronger physically and mentally, yet wound up leading the Lady Eagles to a historic championship.

It was Bundit who instilled Ateneo’s now famous “heart strong” mentality, constantly exhorts the players during timeouts to “play happy,” and leads them in meditation between sets to keep them grounded.

“Kahit anong mangyari kasi, si Coach Tai, hindi siya magsasawa na i-push ka at sasabihin niya sa’yo na ‘You’re a good player.’ If you believe you can win, you can win,” said Valdez.

Bundit speaks little English, yet communication did not seem to be an issue for Ateneo throughout the season. Indeed, Bundit’s actions seemed to speak louder than words, as his now-famous courtside dances often serve to spark the Lady Eagles when they flag during games.

Ateneo also found the correct mix of veterans and rookies even as they dealt with injuries to key players this season. Rookie Ana Gopico, originally the team’s middle hitter, suffered an injury in the first round, forcing changes to be made in the rotation.

Bundit eventually settled on a group that included veterans Valdez, Ella de Jesus, Amy Ahomiro and Aeriel Patnongon, with rookies Michelle Morente and setter Jia Morado, while Lazaro proved to be the backbone of their defense. Another veteran, Marge Tejada, was usually the first player off the bench.

Only Valdez, de Jesus and Lazaro played key minutes in Ateneo’s two Finals losses to La Salle, but their championship experience combined with some truly brave performances from their rookies proved to be enough against La Salle.